By Chuck Graham, TucsonStage.com
photo by Gawne
Working on their night moves are Johnny Rambler (Jake Chapman) and Rolinda Porter (Janee Page).
Over the decades Gaslight Theatre regulars have become fond of saying “Sometimes the olio saves the whole show.”
That old-fashioned term, olio, is where the regular cast from the Gaslight's main stage event comes back out to present a mini-variety show of other talents they have.
"Rock-A-Billy Raceway” is the current production, followed by “The Beatles Magical Mystery Tour Olio.” And a most magical tour it is, full of bright colors and enthusiastic contrasts.
There are art design tributes to Peter Max, clothing fashions that defy common sense – everything that made the 1960s a cultural candy land. This Gaslight gang has given itself a super-sized injection of hyper-imagination and also installed a rear screen projector for zooming visual effects.
No matter how you might be able to visualize these Beatles, when you actually seem them on Gaslight's stage everything will seem bigger, brighter and faster.
Todd Thompson, Mike Yarema, Jacob Brown and Jake Chapman play the Fab Four, adjusting their hair and make-up so it's pretty easy to tell which Beatle each one represents. Brown takes his place on the elevated drum stand, so right away we know he's Ringo.
Erin Thompson, Janee Page and Heather Stricker become a variety of spiritual inspirations and hippie chicks, those heavenly muses of every guy who ever slipped one toke over the line. That song isn't on the play list, but even more fanciful is this trio of women doing “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds.”
The Yellow Submarine makes a major contribution, too, as does Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.
As for the two-act regular show, “Rock-A-Billy Raceway,” that one returns us to the doo-wop 1950s in Smalltown USA.
Racing hot rods on oval tracks got everybody excited back then, and if you added a dance contest, well, that's a heart-stopper, for sure.
The town's local millionaire, Boss Harker (Armen Dirtadian) is certain his lovely, if arrogant, daughter Tiffany (Thompson) will win the dance contest that's a companion event to the Raceway 250. Harker's race car is expected to win.
Also hoping to win that race is “Pops” Porter (David Orley) with his fine-tuned bright red Greased Lightning. All he needs is a winning driver.
Pops' daughter Rolinda (Page) also wants to enter the dance contest. She just needs to find the right partner so she can take the title Miss Smalltown Rock 'n' Roll.
Just when the grease-smeared bully and auto mechanic Lunkhead Leadbetter (Thompson) seems to have everything going his way, who would show up but that restless rebel in leather, Johnny Rambler (Chapman).
There are more hurdles for Pops and Rolinda to overcome, but once you see Johnny's dance movies it's pretty easy to tell who will take the day.
"Rock-A-Billy Raceway” runs through June 3 with performances at various times Tuesdays through Sundays at the Gaslight Theatre, 7010 E. Broadway. Reservations are required. Tickets (not including tax) are $21.95 adults; $19.95 students, seniors, military; $11.95 children age 2-12. For details and reservations, 520-886-9428, or visit the box office 10 a.m.-9 p.m. daily.
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